After a restful summer, the company has been back in the studios for three weeks.  There was no easing into the start of the season since Val Caniparoli was here choreographing his new work, The Lottery, and Helen Pickett was back restaging and tweaking her 2010 Innovations ballet, But Never Doubt I Love.  On top of those two ballets, the company has been working on Paquita and Emeralds (Balanchine) for the upcoming tours to New York city and Las Vegas.  I took a few photos during one of Helen Pickett’s rehearsals.

Emily Adams & Allison DeBona

Arolyn Williams & Christopher Sellars

Haley Smith & Rex Tilton

Christiana Bennett & Christohper Anderson

Emily Adams & Owen Gaj

Adrian Fry

-Beau

Katlyn Addison and Alexander MacFarlan in BUT NEVER DOUBT I LOVE by Helen Pickett

Hello, everyone. My name is Katlyn Addison, and this is my second season with Ballet West. I previously danced with Houston Ballet for the past four years. I wanted to be a part of our blog because I thought most fellow bloggers might be interested in what goes through most ballerinas’ heads before the season starts.

If you’ve ever heard of the saying “eat, sleep, ballet” – well, its’ true! As dancers, many times we get caught up in our world. It’s actually similar to anyone who’s passionate about something they love; it can consume you.

For the past two months we’ve been on our summer break. For most of us, that means time to relax the body and soul, and keep the mind off of ballet and work. Personally, I like to take three weeks off of ballet and do hot yoga classes to keep up the flexibility and look of the long muscles. I know other dancers like to do more cardio. Beau Pearson, one of the dancers at Ballet West, said he likes to take at least three weeks off of dance so he can relax and just enjoy himself. I so agree in having time off during the summer to visit family, friends and enjoy yourself.

For most of us, coming back into work means getting our game face back on, realizing that my hips are going to hurt like crazy and that I’ve got to be ready to face the competition. My mind is racing: “I’ve got to take more classes, my toes are killing me, and I’ve only walked around in my house with my pointe shoes on”. We’ve got a week before the season starts and I know I’m not the only dancer worried about some things. Getting back in shape and maintaining that perfect body weight means my toes are going to hurt that first week back!

Eat, sleep, ballet – leaving the summer behind us and working our “derriere” off to get back in line!

Christopher Sellars and Arolyn Williams in BUT NEVER DOUBT I LOVE by Helen Pickett

Last week, Ballet West II was back in the studios rehearsing Pamela Robinson-Harris and Peggy Dolkas’ new Family Series and Christopher Ruud’s new work for the upcoming Gala.  I got a chance to watch the company during the week; they are looking stronger than ever.  New Ballet West II members include Mary Ann Scheafer from Memphis, Tennessee; Jordan Veit from Seattle, Washington; Kazlyn Nielsen from Provo, Utah; Logan Martin from Washington state; and Chase O’Connell from Virginia.

Ballet West II with their director Christopher Ruud

Mary Ann Scheafer

-Beau